Cops: Upper Darby woman used children in dollar store attack

UPPER DARBY — A township woman charged with assault for pepper spraying two Dollar Store employees allegedly involved her child in the attack.

Delaina Garling, 27, of the 7000 block of Cleveland Avenue, was arrested after an incident Tuesday at the Family Dollar store, 1500 Garrett Road.

“This woman is a thief and when she was confronted, she attacked with the pepper spray,” police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said.

The employees suffered burning in their eyes and a skin reaction to the pepper substance, but did not require hospital treatment.

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According to Chitwood, Garling was banned from the store because of a previous incident and returned with her two children, ages 7 and 8.

“She used her children as a ruse,” Chitwood said. “It makes no sense to be so mean-spirited and rotten to use your kids to commit a crime. She used the 7-year-old as a tool for the assault. This child was taught to get involved in a crime.”

Chitwood said Garling entered the store with a bag in her hand and was asked to check it at the counter, which is store policy.

“Another employee remembered her and told her she wasn’t allowed in the store and to leave,” Chitwood said. “Instead of leaving, Garling reached into the bag and pulled out the pepper spray and sprayed the two employees in the face.

“When she was wrestled to the ground, she handed the pepper spray to her 7-year-old daughter and told her, ‘You know what to do baby, spray it.’ Another employee grabbed the can out of the little girl’s hand before she had a chance to use it.

“It takes guts to involve your child in an assault. We’re going to contact Children and Youth Services about the children.”

Once in custody, police conducted a pat-down search and seized a glass pipe, a sandwich bag containing suspected marijuana and eight pills.

The children were released to the custody of their father when Garling was arrested.

Garling was arraigned on charges of possessing instruments of crime, simple assault, harassment and possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail was set at 10 percent of $30,000 pending a preliminary hearing April 3 before Magisterial District Judge Christopher Mattox.